3593: Zakaat on vegetables and fruits

If one has a garden in which vegetables and fruits are grown for his
own purpose, is he required to pay 'ushr on its harvest?

Praise be to Allaah.

Zakaat is not required on vegetables or fruits, because
they are not measured or stored. Zakaat is, however, required on fruits
that are measured and stored, such as dates, raisins, almonds, pistachios,
But if they are not measured and are not stored – such as pomegranates,
figs, peaches, melons and other fruits, and tomatoes, cucumbers and other
vegetables – there is no zakaat due for them, because if they are stored
they will be spoiled.

It was reported from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may
Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet
(peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no zakaat due on grains or dates
unless they reach the amount of five awsuq.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari,
Muslim and others. This is if they are measurable, so it is more
appropriate that no zakaat should be paid on things that are not measured
at all.

It was reported from ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib in a
marfoo’ report – and some said it was mawqoof – “There is no
zakaat due on vegetables.”

Moreover, neither the Prophet
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) nor his successors (al-Khulafaa’
al-Raashidoon) collected zakaah for fruits and vegetables. Although
they were grown in their regions, there was no zakaah paid on them. This
indicates that there is no zakaah to be paid for these things.

And your garden is for your own personal use, not
for business purposes, so it is definite that there is no zakaat required
for the produce of this garden. But if it is for business purposes, and
you keep the profit from it for one complete year, in this case you would
have to pay zakaah on the money which you have had for one complete year.
And Allaah knows best.